Cleary Celtic 1 NFC Kesh 2

Ryan Campbell scored a spectacular injury-time winner as NFC Kesh knocked out Cleary Celtic to reach the last eight of the Junior Cup.

The Fermanagh side had held the lead for most of the match after Grant Ellis’ early header, only to be pegged back in the 89th minute by Cleary’s equaliser – but player-manager Campbell curled a shot into the top corner with seconds remaining to seal a dramatic victory.

The manager admitted that he feared the worst when the Newry-based side snatched their equaliser, but was delighted with Kesh’s response.

“It’s great to be in the hat for the quarter final,” he said.

“In the first half we edged it and got our goal early on. They hit the post, but we had the better energy and we played the better football.

“In the second half, they put us under pressure, especially for the last 20 minutes when they were looking for an equaliser. They got their goal and I thought they were going to have the upper hand in extra time.

“I wasn’t looking forward to it, but thankfully we kicked into life again when they scored and started to play again, and we were grateful we got that one chance and glad it went in.

“It was nice to do it for the travelling support, and the way we did it made it even more of a memorable day.”

Kesh were forced into a much-changed starting line-up for their biggest game of the season.

With Nathan Cashel suspended and Lee Walker and Gareth Keys both unavailable, Campbell called up Ben McLaren and Paddy Beresford, who were both making their first starts of the season.

Despite the changed team Kesh made a positive start and almost made an immediate breakthrough when Campbell pounced on a back pass, but the keeper stuck out a leg to deflect his shot wide of the post.

It was only a temporary reprieve for Celtic, however, as from the corner Grant Ellis rose to head Kesh into the lead.

Both sides were struggling to create chances in the first half despite Kesh holding the upper hand.

Danny Wilson almost broke through on goal midway through the half, but he was brought down by the Cleary defender, who was fortunate to escape with a Yellow Card.

Celtic struck the post before the interval, and after the break they ramped up the pressure as they pressed for an equaliser.

They were eventually rewarded as the game approached full time when a cross to the back post was turned back across the area and former Premiership player Stephen Hughes fired past Stefan McCusker.

The momentum appeared to be with the home team, but it was Kesh that had the final say.

Kyle Malone headed a clearance into the Cleary half and Sean McDonagh flicked it on for Campbell.

The experienced striker collected the ball on the corner of the penalty area, cut inside the defender and placed a shot into the top corner of the net to send his team into the quarter finals.